Move aims to strengthen presence in key markets and boost global competitiveness.

CargoGulf announced the opening of its first UK office, a move that reflects the company's strategy to strengthen its presence in key markets and to reinforce its standing as a global NVOCC (Non-vessel operating common carrier). Located in Manchester, CargoGulf (UK), Ltd. has doubled its staffing levels and more than quadrupled its office space.

The UK has been a traditional stronghold for CargoGulf since it began operations through agency network agreements in 1985. Business growth has been strong in the last two years with many new trade lanes coming on stream. The decision to open an office in the UK will further escalate this growth and increase visibility to clients.

Cargo Gulf

For Managing Director Hans-Henrik Nielsen, the UK was a natural starting point for the planned globalization of CargoGulf.

'In line with our strategic aim to better serve the international freight forwarding and logistics communities on a global level, CargoGulf will continue to invest in key locations,' he says.

'Together with CargoGulf offices in Singapore, Dubai and Jakarta, our presence in the UK will allow us to increase our co-load business in all core trade lanes. The Asia/UK trade lane, for instance, is a strategic and important route for CargoGulf, and having our own office in the UK will assist us in growing our LCL (Less than Container Load) business, and to be in front of UK forwarding community decision makers.'

Mike Millar, CargoGulf (UK), Ltd.'s General Manager, says that the company's neutrality and global purchasing power allow it to secure more competitive rates, and that CargoGulf UK meets freight forwarders' demands for a wholesale product.

'Leveraging CargoGulf's experience in groupage consolidation and long term freight agreements with leading shipping lines, our clients can look forward to growing with CargoGulf, and also to freeing up time to focus on providing value added services. CargoGulf's express documentation services and fast transit times are also proven time and cost savers,' he adds.

CargoGulf operates the premier groupage service from UK to the Middle East, and offers a strong weekly service going directly to all the major ports in the Arabian Gulf. 'To further enhance this flagship service we have opened more receiving depots in the UK and are investing in new operational software, which allows us to be 'on line' with our partners in the Middle East,' says Mike.

CargoGulf offers weekly fixed day departures to and from Asia and the Middle East with additional services to North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the pipeline. There is a southern area Sales Office in Brentwood and receiving facilities are located in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham and Bristol.

In addition to neutral LCL consolidation services, the CargoGulf product portfolio includes FCL services and its own Box Container program, which is a liner service operating CargoGulf's own fleet of containers in strategic trade lanes. The roll out of the "Box" product in the UK will commence in the second quarter of 2008.